Stone Steps - Riser & Tread

Hello. This is my first post at DIY.

I have a contractor making some improvements to my front porch. We are replacing the old stone skirting and steps with new stone. I'm a little concerned about the details of the proposed new steps. The total riser height is 33" and width of the steps will be about 6'. The contractor is suggesting 6 steps - 5.5" riser and a 16" wide tread. Personally, I feel that 5 steps would have a better curb appeal. Also, everything I read online says that your riser + tread should equal 17-18. Is it common to have a riser less than 6" with wide steps? Any advice?

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Stone Steps - Riser & Tread

5 or 6 steps would be fine. I always think that a 7" x 11" in step is really comfortable to walk up. 5 steps put you at 6.6".
A 16" tread, I dunno maybe others will have a comment on it. They are almost wide enough you may have to take a 1/2 step or shuffle, to get to the next step.
The low riser hight is fine and will be easy to walk up, not so sure about a 16" tread.
I would almost want to mock up something just to try that depth, before building it.

I have never built stairs from stone, do not know what kind of material you are working with.
Maybe it is what widths the material comes in and less labor for cutting?
Just seems awkward width to me.

Stone Steps - Riser & Tread

I was taught the following in regards to stairs:

1. The slope of the stairs (rise-to-run ratio) should be between 30 and 35 degrees
2. The sum of two risers and one tread should equal 25 inches.
3. The product of the riser height multiplied by the tread depth should equal approximately 75 inches
4. The sum of one riser and one tread should equal 17 to 18 inches

with 5 steps your riser height would be 33"/5 = 6.6" tread works out about 11.5"

Stone Steps - Riser & Tread

It's all preference IMO, but 5.5" is about as small of a step as you want IMO, and shouldn't be a problem. The 16" tread should be fine as well IMO. I've never seen a maximum tread length, or a combination of tread+riser, maximum......